Pakistanis are seething over Ahsan Iqbal’s suggestion to have fewer cups of tea

Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has caused an uproar on Twitter following his suggestion to fellow countrymen to cut down on chai consumption as part of the effort to reduce a rising import bill.

The appeal from the senior minister came after it emerged that the nation consumed tea worth Rs83.88 billion in the fiscal year 2021-22.

The federal budget document for the outgoing fiscal year showed that Pakistan imported Rs13 billion worth of more tea than the last fiscal year.

In the fiscal year 2020-21, Rs70.82 billion was spent on the import of tea, NNI reported.

The suggestion, however well-intentioned, did not go down well with the Pakistani populace, who have a strong love for the hot beverage, no matter the time of year.

Reham Khan, the former prime minister’s ex-wife, objected strongly to the suggestion. “First, half a roti and now we should reduce our tea consumption too?” she asked incredulously.